If you have problems with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or an astigmatism and prefer not to wear glasses or contact lens, you may consider Lasik eye surgery. It’s just simple and effective alternative for you.
Since 1990, more than 20 million procedures have been performed across the worldwide. In the US, over one million Americans choose Lasik surgery to improve their vision each year.
Definition of Lasik
Lasik (Laser in-situ Kertomileusis) refers to the procedure where an eye doctor or ophthalmologist uses a laser to reshape the cornea. Cornea is the transparent tissue that covers the iris (the colored part of the eye), the pupil (the dark middle of the eye), and the anterior eye chamber.
Cornea is as smooth and clear as glass. It is as tough and durable as plastic. Reshaping it with a laser helps improve vision. In fact, more than 90 percent of Lasik patients realize somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40 vision without glasses or contacts.
It has to be noted that Lasik can not correct the age-related diminishing of close-up focusing ability.
Requirements for Lasik Candidates
Here are some requirements for Lasik candidates:
- 18 years old or over
- In good health
- Have adhered to a stable vision prescription for at least one year
- Have no eye disease
- Possess sufficient corneal thickness
- Can take a few days off work for recovery
Lasik surgery cost is somewhat stable, ranging from $1500 to $2500 per eye. So you have to make sure you can afford it.
Benefits
Lasik surgery can significantly improve your vision. While there is no national database for Lasik surgeries currently exists, results of many individual studies are available.
It is suggested that:
- 55.3 percent of Lasik patients achieve 20/20 vision (some studies place this figure as high as 85 percent)
- 92.6 percent of Lasik patients achieve 20/40 or better vision and do not have to wear corrective glasses or contact lenses
- Worldwide satisfaction rates among Lasik patients is 95.4 percent
Risks and Effects
The Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC) places serious, vision threatening problems at less than one percent of Lasik surgeries. Other complications include eye infections, chronic dry eye and Lasik cornea flap problems. Most of these can be remedied by medications.
Some side effects of Lasik could be:
- Blurry vision
- Night vision difficulties
- Scratchiness
- Dry eyes
- Glare, halos or starbursts around light
- Light sensitivity
- Discomfort or pain
- Pink or red patches on the white of the eye
If those symptoms do not disappear or do not respond to treatment, a retreatment, or a second surgery may be required. This is necessary in about 10.5 percent of cases.
Visit Your Eye Doctor
If you consider Lasik is an alternative for you to be away from glass or contact lens, immediately go and visit your eye surgeon. After a thorough eye exam, you and your doctor may have the following points to discuss:
- Whether or not you are a good candidate
- Benefits
- Risks
- Side effects
- What to expect before, during and after surgery
- Whether the laser is FDA approved
- Ask how many Lasik procedures the doctor has done and what the outcomes were
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulation
The FDA regulates the sale of medical apparatus including the Lasik laser. This means the devices must be approved by the FDA for safety and effectiveness.
Always check and see if the used device of your doctor is FDA approved. You can also go to the FDA website, see a list of FDA approved Lasik lasers and read a summary of the safety and effectiveness of each one.